Background: Smoking, as one of the significant modifiable risk factors, is being actively studied in the context of asthma.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of electronic cigarettes and electronic tobacco heating devices on the course and control of bronchial asthma, as well as changes on inflammatory profiles. An important aspect is to assess the profile of the patient using smoking devices in order to optimize the therapy selection and patient management strategies.

Material and Methods: An open-label observational clinical trial including medical history assessment, physical examination, completion of the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACT) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), clinical functional examination, and venous blood sampling for biomarker analysis. The study included patients aged 18–45 years with a confirmed diagnosis of bronchial asthma for at least 12 months.

Results: 84 patients were included in the study (82 men and 2 women), with a mean age of 21.99 ± 2.38 years. Of these, 32 patients were non-smokers, while 52 reported using various nicotine and tobacco products. Among the smokers, 30 (57.7%) used two or more types of smoking devices. Passive smoking exposure was reported across all groups, with 69 patients (82.1%) indicating regular exposure to environmental tobacco smoke from their surroundings. Smokers were more frequently exposed to passive smoking. The average age of smoking initiation is 16 years. In both groups, according to ACT data, the lack of asthma control in smokers is 18.1± 4.2, non-smokers 16.8 ±3.4. ACT score distribution curves showed a broader spread among smokers, with a more pronounced secondary peak corresponding to partial asthma control. Correlation analysis of peripheral blood eosinophil levels revealed a narrower distribution among smokers, while non-smokers exhibited a longer right-tail distribution, indicating a higher proportion of individuals with elevated eosinophil counts.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to optimize therapy and management of patients using smoking devices.

AUTHORS: Natalya Nenasheva^1,2, Marina Peredelskaya^1,2, Varvara Muchametova3, Alexander Yudin⁴

AFFILIATIONS: ¹Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Further Professional Education «Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education», Ministry of Healthcare, Russian Federation

²State Hospital 24

³Exness

⁴State Budgetary Healthcare Institution City Clinical Hospital No. 24 of Moscow

Using combined experimental and theoretical methods, the vibrational dynamics of nicotine and some of its derivatives have been studied. Molecular clusters in the vapor phase, as well as molecular crystals, have been covered. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy have been used as experimental techniques. On the theoretical side, modern variants of the electron density functional theory were used, using different combinations of exchange-correlation functionals. The geometry optimization as well as additional investigations of the potential energy hyper surfaces of the isolated clusters was performed using gradient optimization techniques. The character of the located stationary points is examined by analyzing the mass-normalized Hessian of the system. By its sequential diagonalization, a harmonic vibration analysis is also performed. The modes with strongly expressed anharmonicity are analyzed using perturbation techniques.

The comparison of the experimental and theoretical spectra as well as the calculations of the degrees of agreement is performed using vector analysis methods, as well as two-dimensional spectroscopic techniques. Conclusions are drawn for the exact analysis and assignment of the vibrational modes in the mentioned systems.

AUTHORS: Ljupco Pejov^1,2, Jasmina Tonikj Ribarska³, Kristina Mitik⁴, Mereme Idrizi³, Blagoj Achevski³

AFFILIATIONS: ¹Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia

²Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Norway

³Faculty of Pharmacy, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia

⁴Faculty of Dentistry, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia

Background: Tobacco combustion produces thousands of toxic compounds, many of them confirmed carcinogens. In contrast, electronic cigarettes (ECs) heat e-liquids at significantly lower temperatures, potentially reducing users’ exposure to harmful substances. This study aimed to characterize five target compounds —diacetyl, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and vitamin E acetate (VEA)— in commercial e-liquids and to compare their chemical profile with combustible cigarette smoke.

Material and Methods: Twenty e-liquids (10 domestic, 10 international) and one brand of combustible cigarette were analyzed. E-liquids were assessed via Headspace-GC-FID and GC-MS. Cigarette smoke was collected in a methanol-dichloromethane mixture and analyzed by GC-MS. Compound identification was performed using retention times and mass spectra compared to analytical standards. All detected substances were classified by the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

Results: None of the five target compounds were detected in the e-liquid samples. A total of 24 compounds were found in e-liquids, with only 1.7% classified as carcinogenic and 5.5% as toxic. By contrast, combustible cigarette smoke contained 27 compounds, of which 10.2% were carcinogenic and 12.7% toxic, with a predominance of aldehydes, ketones, and PAHs. The lower operational temperatures of ECs (≤250°C) and absence of combustion may explain the reduced toxicant profile observed.

Conclusions: The e-liquids analyzed exhibited a substantially lower toxicological burden than combustible cigarette smoke. These findings support their potential as lower-risk alternatives within harm reduction strategies. However, EC aerosols are not free from health risks. Further quantitative studies, realistic-use simulations, and long-term toxicological assessments are essential to determine their safety profile and regulatory implications accurately.

AUTHORS: Susana Lizeth Pérez Leal², Christian Heinrich Henoin¹

AFFILIATIONS: ¹Universidad Anáhuac México, Mexico City, Mexico

²Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Química e Industrias Extractivas, Mexico City, Mexico

Background: The rising popularity of disposable flavored e-cigarettes among adolescents has raised serious public health concerns, yet the chemical composition of the aerosols they produce remains insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to identify and compare the constituents of aerosols and e-liquids from ten popular single-use e-cigarette products sold in Poland using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Material and Methods: Over 60 distinct compounds were identified across samples, including solvents, esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and aromatic compounds. The predominant components in all aerosols were glycerin and nicotine, with concentrations ranging from 15.5 to 54.3 mg/ml and 7.4 to 20.8 mg/ml, respectively (normalized to liquid converted to aerosol). Numerous flavoring agents were detected, including ethyl maltol, vanillin, methyl anthranilate, and γ-lactones. Notably, 1-ethyl-3-piperidinol, a compound with potential sensory and pharmacological activity, was consistently found at high levels.

Results: Direct comparisons between e-liquids and their corresponding aerosols revealed significant quantitative and qualitative differences, with several compounds appearing exclusively in aerosols, suggesting thermal degradation or reaction byproducts. Additionally, discrepancies were observed between the manufacturer-declared e-liquid ingredients and the actual chemical profiles identified.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for regulatory frameworks that evaluate the inhaled aerosol rather than just the e-liquid composition. They also emphasize the urgency of stricter controls over product labeling and ingredient transparency, especially considering the widespread use of these products by minors. Future studies will expand the analysis to include less stable and potentially more reactive aerosol constituents.

AUTHORS: Katarzyna Koziak¹, Maciej Wierzbicki¹, Arkadiusz Szterk²

AFFILIATIONS: ¹Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

²Aslab Research and Development Center, Warsaw, Poland

Background: Oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people globally, creating major health, social, and economic burdens, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Tobacco use, including smoking and unregulated oral tobacco products, is a key contributor to oral morbidity and mortality. While conventional tobacco control policies have reduced smoking in some high-income countries, cessation rates remain low and oral health inequalities persist. This report evaluates Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) as a complementary public health strategy to reduce tobacco-related oral disease.

Material and Methods: This analysis draws on global case studies, epidemiological and biomarker data, and policy reviews. Countries implementing safer, non-combustible nicotine alternatives e.g., e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) were evaluated for impacts on smoking prevalence and oral health. The report also examines the role of oral health professionals (OHPs) and the alignment of THR with WHO’s Global Strategy on Oral Health (2023–2030).

Results: Sweden, the UK, New Zealand, and Japan show significant public health gains from THR adoption. Sweden has the EU’s lowest oral cancer and adult smoking rates, due to widespread snus and nicotine pouch use. Biomarker studies confirm reduced toxicant exposure and improved oral markers among users who switch from smoking. In contrast, South Asian countries face high oral cancer rates linked to unregulated smokeless tobacco use, compounded by limited THR access and misinformation about nicotine. Oral Health Policies remain underutilised in tobacco prevention strategies.

Conclusions: THR offers a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to reduce global oral disease. Integrating it into oral health policy is urgent and essential for equity.

AUTHORS: Jessica Perkins, Delon Human

AFFILIATION: Health Diplomats, UK